Etihad boosts commitment to US tourism

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has teamed up with Brand USA, a destination marketing organisation for the United States, highlighting its commitment to boosting tourism to the USA from points across its extensive global network.

The airline sponsored a Brand USA reception at the exclusive
Armani Hotel in Dubai, as part of the annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM) held
in Dubai. ATM is a major global travel and tourism exhibition, drawing in key travel
companies, organisations, airlines and tourist boards from around the world.

At the event,
attended by over two hundred senior travel industry professionals and media, both
Etihad Airways and Brand USA reaffirmed their commitment to forging closer ties
and to work closely to find common synergies in their shared goal of promoting
travel and tourism between the UAE and the USA. With support from Etihad
Airways, Brand USA will seek opportunities for joint promotional activity into
the United States.

Shane O’Hare,
Etihad Airways Senior Vice President Marketing said: “There are very few
nations on earth more diverse than the United States. The sheer beauty of this
country, the spirit of optimism and a vibrant culture forged through centuries
of hard work, and influences from every corner of the planet, makes it one of
the most popular and exciting destinations on Etihad Airways’ global network.

“In 2014, we
carried 801,465 guests to and from the United States. The country is very much
in demand from Emiratis travelling for leisure or on business, and is a vitally
important part of our growth plans. Together with our partner airlines, such as
Jet Airways, we have also made it easier than ever for travellers from across
the Indian subcontinent and other parts of Asia to connect seamlessly through
Abu Dhabi onto our services to the USA.

“As the
national airline of the UAE, Etihad Airways is delighted to team up with Brand
USA, and to foster ever-stronger ties with them to promote increased tourism,
trade and friendship with the United States.”

Etihad
Airways flies to the key US gateways of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago,
Dallas Fort Worth, New York JFK, and Washington DC. The nation’s capital is served
by the next-generation Boeing 787-9. This revolutionary aircraft type is part
of Etihad Airways’ massive order of 71 B787 variants from the American
manufacturer.

Etihad
Airways has signed codeshare partnerships with major US airlines such as
American Airlines and JetBlue, allowing travellers greater access to more
cities across the length and breadth of the USA. The airline also has
commercial and marketing agreements in place with leading US hotel chains and
car hire companies and through its Etihad Holidays leisure division, provides
comprehensive vacation packages for its guests visiting the United States.

The unique U.S.
Preclearance facility in Abu Dhabi has helped to facilitate and expedite easy
travel by allowing Etihad Airways customers to clear US immigration and customs
in Abu Dhabi. Since its opening in January 2014, the CBP has processed half a
million travellers heading to the USA.